Beaming with pride, this is the inspiring moment heroic Frankie Sherwood led his beloved Newcastle United out in front of thousands of fans.

The three-year-old Toon fan pushed aside his battle with neuroblastoma to become guest of honour at the Magpies’ clash with Blackburn Rovers.

Frankie was invited to hand over the ball to the referee ahead of the match at St James’ Park on Saturday.

Frankie, of Dudley, North Tyneside , has been fighting to survive ever since he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma - a hugely aggressive form of childhood cancer in May last year.

He had been undergoing major chemotherapy treatment in a bid to rid his body of the cancer, but tests in August revealed the cancer has now returned.

Frankie Sherwood hands the ball over in his fight for cancer prior to kick off of the Sky Bet Championship match between Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers

Ahead of the match mum Hayley Laidler, 32, said: “Because he’s only three, he’s not old enough to be a mascot, so instead he’s going to be handing over the ball to the referee.

“He’s very excited because he will get to meet the players, gets to watch them train and enjoy the match.

“He’s OK at the minute and has been having more scans in hospital this week. The tumour has not gone away but it’s also not getting any bigger so they are just continuing the treatment.”

During the summer Frankie won support from NUFC players Ayoze Perez and Paul Dummett.

The two Magpies stars were pictured with their fists raised in support of Frankie’s fight against cancer, after his family received the news that scans detected new signs of neuroblastoma at the base of his skull.

Frankie Sherwood hands the ball over in his fight for cancer prior to kick off of the Sky Bet Championship match between Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers

To raise funds and support for their son, parents Hayley and John, 30, asked people to share photos of themselves with their fists raised and dubbed the social media campaign ‘Fists up for Frankie’. And Spanish striker Perez and defender Dummett duly obliged.